Dada Joe at the Center of Romance Scam That Led to U.S. Senior’s Death

A high-stakes FBI investigation is unfolding around an alleged international romance scam, with new evidence linking Ghanaian social media personality Boateng, popularly known online as Dada Joe, to a suspected fraudulent network that reportedly targeted vulnerable individuals.

According to FBI records, the case centres on a 2021 complaint by an elderly Arizona man, now deceased, who believed he was romantically involved with a woman named Christine East. She claimed she needed financial assistance to access a multi-million-dollar inheritance and promised to share the proceeds. The victim wired large sums of money to several bank accounts, one allegedly linked to the Gulf region, before passing away after losing a substantial portion of his savings.

Instagram Evidence Points to Boateng

On April 26, 2023, Instagram, responding to a legal warrant, turned over communications from an account reportedly operated by Boateng. A review of the messages from 2019 to March 2023 revealed conversations pointing to a pattern of fraud, with Boateng referred to in chats as “Senior Man,” “Boss,” and “The Highest Motivator”—titles suggesting a leadership role in a larger scam operation.

Audio Clips and Money Transfers Under Scrutiny

Federal investigators cite an audio clip where Nana Kojo Boateng (Dada Joe) allegedly admitted to giving the Arizona victim $50,000 eight days before his death and another $70,000 just weeks earlier. Further claims suggest he later returned to the victim’s home to “look for the money,” triggering more questions about his role.

While no formal charges have been filed against Boateng at this stage, the case highlights growing concerns about romance scams, digital fraud, and the cross-border nature of online criminal networks.

Netbuzz Africa will continue to follow this developing story as U.S. federal investigators dig deeper into the alleged activities and potential accomplices behind this global scam.